An irrigation tool invented by the people of ancient Sumer. It uses weights to make lifting buckets of water almost effortless.

Shadoof

An irrigation tool invented by the people of ancient Sumer. It uses weights to make lifting buckets…

"A contrivance extensively employed in Egypt and the East, generally for raising water. It consists of a long stout rod suspended on a frame at about one fifth of its length from the end. The short end is weighted so as to serve as the counterpoise of a lever, and from the long end a bucket is suspended by a rope. The shadoof is extensively used in Egypt for lifting water from the Nile for irrigation" —Whitney, 1889
<p>This illustration shows two men using a shadoof to raise water. There is a sailboat in the background.

Shadoofs, Two Men Raising Water

"A contrivance extensively employed in Egypt and the East, generally for raising water. It consists…